The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-20
A Correspondent Tells of the Formers Aston
ishing Popularity, but Refrains from Eu-
logizng His Legal Attainments.
First Examination Under the Recently
Amended Civil-Service Rules.
Letter Indicating Whitney's Civil-Service
Policy-Suggestions as to Modifying the
Rules in Certain Glasses Of Pensions.
THE SUPREME COURT VACANCY.

Lamar and jackson the Leading Candidates
Popularity of the Former.
VpeciaI to indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June 19.-Speeulation to
whom the President will appoint to fill the
vacancy on the Supreme Bench occasioned by
the death of Justice Woods continues One fact
is known. and that is that the appointes is to be
Southern man. Since Justice Campbell of
Louisiana. resigned from the Supreme Bench
and cast his fortunes with his State, South
ern man, distinctive in character, birth and
opinion, has represented this section in the high
est judicial tribunal of this country. Justice
Woods was from Alabama, but was born in the
North and did not represent the senti-
ment of the people of his section at
the time of his selection. In looking
this vast section for a suitable man, quail
fed in the law a represent tative of her hopes in
the future, while sympathizing with but ac-
knowlede:ng her error in the past, the public
mind has instnctively centered upon Secretary
Lamar. No man In the South is more popular
none more honored; participator with her sons
in the late war, he understands the perils that
enveloped them on the field. Conquered. he
gave to his countrymen, in the dark days that
followed. the benefit of a wise and conservative
mind. His course SO endeared him to his people
that there was no honor but he could command,
no place in their power to bestow but he could
have had for the asking Averse rath-
or than forward in accepting pub
lie trust in so critical a period
of his country's history, he so conducted himself
by his wise discretion. judicious treatment of
public questions, and cool and calm manner in
the most heated controversies in the public
forum, that he came 10 be looked upon through
out the South as the type Of the Southern states
man. and he is SO regarded to-day. His course
then stands him in good stead now, and, while
States may have local candidates for the posi-
tion the Supreme Bench. Secretary Lamar
practically has the solid South at his back. 1t
is known among his friends that he would
cept the position, and his friends believe that
the President will appoint him. All the polit-
ical sigus now point In that direction. Should
Secretary Lamar be appointed, the prevailing
impression is that Assistant Secretary Null
drow, warm personal friend of Secretary
Lamar. fully understanding his policy and
in line with it, will be his successor Commis-
sioner Sparks is also spoken of In the same con-
nection and has formidable backing.
While the friends of Secretary La con-
fident, Circuit Judge Jackson. of Tennessee, has
many friends here who think he is the coming
man. His in the Senate favorably
impressed the President that he appointed him
to his present position. Ihey point TO his pecu-
liar fitness, and. while not discredit-
ing the legal knowledge of Secretary
Lamar, assert that during his whole career
he has not had opportunity to apply practically
his legal requirements. He is. they assert.
more of lawyer in theory than in practice.
Having entered public life early, then plunged
into he war; and then into politics again, they
assert that he does not possess that trained
mind accustomed to apply the principles of the
law rs does Judge Jackson. These two men
now the only prominent Southern men,
toned here, and it seems probable that
the other will be honored by the President by
being placed upon the Supreme Bench OF the
United States.